Published on August 13, 2024
There is much speculation about how Syrah (and Shiraz) got its name. It has been mistakenly thought to be derived from a grape originally from the Persian city of Shiraz, while other theories say it is named after Syracuse in Sicily or the Greek island of Syros. Whatever its origin, we know it comes from a cross between two almost extinct grape varieties: Mondeuse Blanche and Dureza. This suggests a French origin, particularly the Rhône Valley, and to this day some of the best Syrah varieties are grown in Cornas, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Côte-Rôtie. Syrah is also a major component of Côte du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.
In Australia and South Africa, winemakers prefer to refer to Syrah as Shiraz, and they are quite adamant about it. Most Syrah wines from these two countries are labelled “Shiraz”, but there are a handful of winemakers who refer to their wines as “Syrah”, particularly when they are making wine in a distinctly French style.
Syrah/Shiraz is also grown in Spain, Italy, Napa, Sonoma, Washington state, and almost anywhere in the world where grapes are grown. We’ve tasted many wines from countries around the world and compiled this list of the nine best wines. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Our best Syrah and Shiraz recommendations
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Best Syrah/Shiraz overall: Penfolds 2018 St. Henri Shiraz
On their boat voyage from the Old World, Mary and Dr. Christopher Penfold brought grape vines with them and planted them upon arrival in Australia. In 1844, the Penfolds Wine Company was established on their estate in Magill. Today, winemaking is overseen by Peter Gago and during a recent Zoom tasting with him, we both fell in love with St. Henri Shiraz. Peter admitted that while most people collect Penfolds Grange, more and more wine lovers are collecting St. Henri as well. The 2018 is crimson to purple in the glass with aromas of ripe red pepper, black licorice and pomegranate. Silky tannins pave the way for flavors of cranberries, crushed violet leaves, blackberries and dark cocoa powder.
Buy Now: $165
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Best Syrah from France: Guigal 2019 Lieu-Dit Rouge Syrah Saint-Joseph
Marcel and Philippe Guigal represent the third generation of winemaking families at Maison Guigal and the pair are committed to the legacy of their grandfather Etienne in 1946, who made wine for an impressive 67 vintages. Their 2019 Lieu-Dit Rouge is made from grapes grown in Saint-Joseph, an appellation in the northern Rhône that requires wines to be at least 90 percent Syrah. It has aromas of black plum, black cherry and freshly ground black pepper with flavors of red plum, dried cherry and vanilla cream biscuit.
Buy now: $90
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Best Spanish Syrah: Abadia Retuerta 2019 Pago Garduña Syrah Castilla y Leon
Don Sancho Garcia founded the monastery of Santa Maria de Retuerta in Valladolid in 1146 and today it continues as the Abadia Retuerta winery, luxury hotel and spa. Although it is located near the Duero River, Abadia Retuerta is officially “just” outside the DO (designation of origin) Ribera del Duero, but in May 2022 it received its PDO (protected designation of origin) certification as a testament to the quality of the wine. An exquisite wine made from Syrah grown in the PDO, the 2019 Pago Garduña is inky with aromas of crushed violet leaves, cassis and red plums that translate seamlessly to the palate with flavors of blackberries, dried herbs and freshly ground black pepper.
Buy now: $121
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Best Italian Syrah: Tua Rita 2020 Per Sempre Syrah
Rita Tua founded her eponymous winery in 1984 after initially purchasing 37 acres of land, but didn’t release her first wine until 1992. Her current production is less than 4,000 cases per year. She is known for her 100 percent Merlot wines, which have received high ratings from respected critics, but we’re also big fans of her Syrah-based wines. Her inky 2020 Per Sempre has aromas of blackberries, olive leaves, dried thyme and plums with flavors of spices, dried herbs, blueberries and black plums.
Buy Now: $260
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Best Australian Shiraz: Henschke 2019 Tappa Pass Shiraz Barossa Valley
Most wine collectors know Henschke for their famous Hill of Grace Shiraz from the Eden Valley, and while we love that wine, we also adore the Tappa Pass Shiraz from the Barrosa Valley. The Henschke family have been producing wine for over 150 years and are currently in their sixth generation, making them one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Australia. It all started with Johann Christian Henschke, who emigrated to South Australia from Silesia in 1868; his descendants currently make wine in the Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills. Hailing from the Barossa Valley, the Henschke 2019 Tappa Pass Shiraz has aromas of freshly ground white pepper, purple flowers and black plum. It has silky smooth tannins and flavors of blackberry, plum and a hint of cassis on the finish.
Buy Now: $147
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Best Napa Syrah: Krupp Brothers Estates 2018 Black Bart Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah
Jan Krupp, a board-certified internal medicine physician, was also a part-time winemaker, aging wines in his basement in a San Francisco suburb. In 1991, he moved to Napa and bought a house surrounded by 41 acres of vines. He eventually sold his medical practice and founded Krupp Brothers Estates with his brother Bart. Sadly, Bart passed away earlier this year, but his legacy lives on in his 2018 Black Bart Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah. It’s inky purple in the glass with aromas of brown baking spices, black plum and cocoa powder with rounded, velvety tannins and flavors of violet, fennel, black cherry and dried plum.
Buy now: $95
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Best Sonoma Syrah: Peay Vineyards 2020 La Bruma Syrah
Peay is a family-run business; husband and wife team Nick Peay and Vanessa Wong grow grapes and make the wine, while Nick’s brother Andy runs the business side. All wines are made from grapes grown on their 53-acre hilltop vineyard, which consists of 34 acres of Pinot Noir, eight acres of Syrah, seven acres of Chardonnay, and about two acres of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. This wine comes from their La Bruma Syrah vineyard and has a tantalizing bouquet of smoked meats, particularly hickory-smoked bacon, black currants, black raspberries, and cinnamon, with lush tannins and flavors of cassis, black olive tapenade, black plum, and violet petals. It’s a lovely drink right now, but don’t hesitate to hold it in your hand and enjoy it over the next 10 years.
Buy now: $90
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Best Carneros Syrah: HdV 2017 California Syrah
Every wine collector knows about the Domaine de la Romanée Conti in Burgundy, but many don’t know that its former co-director Aubert de Villaine married into the Hyde family and the two influential families make stunning wines together in California. The Hyde vineyard is in the Carneros appellation, but on the Napa side, and many experts agree that wines made from these grapes have a leg up when it comes to being exceptional. The 2017 Californio is inky with aromas of red plum, crushed violet leaves and freshly picked blackberries. It has lush tannins and flavors of oolong tea, freshly ground black pepper and black currants. It’s perfect for drinking right now, but don’t hesitate to enjoy it until 2030.
Buy Now: $100
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Best Syrah under $50: Jaboulet 2021 Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage
In 1834, Antoine Jaboulet founded the Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîne in Tain l’Hermitage and eventually passed the management on to his sons Paul and Henry, who in turn passed it on to their sons and grandchildren. Today, the estate is managed by Caroline Frey, who began converting the vineyards to organic and biodynamic principles in 2006. Her hard work was recently recognized when she was awarded the Badge of the Officier du Mérite Agricole Award in 2023. Jaboulet 2021 Domaine de Thalabert has a ruby to purple color with aromas of black raspberries, black pepper and red currants with silky tannins and flavors of cardamom, cinnamon, red plum and black cassis. Drink now or until 2036.
Buy now: $49
Authors
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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
